“Unknown error” while importing backup on WhatsApp.

Hi ,

I too had the same problem, It was struck at 40%. I have updated Iphone 14pro to the latest version i.e. 16.5.1 and reset the iphone. Tried the same process Move to IOS on my Android phone, and this time it worked. Got all WhatsApp data to the iPhone.

This also worked for me:

here is what I did to get past this error. After retrying several times,

instead of cancelling the transfer, I restarted iPhone using the power

and volume buttons. Once the iPhone restarted, I opened WhatsApp again

and the import page showed up again. i clicked on Start button to start

the import process again. And this time import quickly moved from 0 to

40% and then it started progressing.

I had the same issue.

This worked for me:

Make a Backup on GoogleDrive, delete WhatsApp on Android, reinstall it and restore the backup from GoogleDrive. Then use move to ios to migrate from android to ios. Afterwards importing should work.

What worked for me was doing a backup on google drive on the android phone, uninstalling WhatsApp on android, reinstalling, recover account using google drive backup, closing WhatsApp on iPhone, reopen, restart transfer process.

I got the same error, my whatsapp data size was around 900mb. I deleted stuff and brought it under 500 mb and then this worked.

I am in progress of resolution but I have found a way round the issue. Background, I was previously iOS a few years ago, I also received the error at 40%. When I cancelled and retried I was being asked to restore from an old icloud WhatsApp backup from 5 years ago.

Resolution:

On icloud account make sure sufficient space (I had to pay the $1.50 per month) not sure if needed but potentially was the fix.

When transferring with move to iOS, only transfer WhatsApp data.

Then set up new iPhone and download and configure WhatsApp and restore from the transfer (now works, no error at 40%).

Once whatsapp set up on iPhone, backups to iCloud.

Then factory rest the iPhone, transfer with iOS all your other data, not what'sapp.

Then setting up WhatsApp on iOS you can restore from recently created iCloud backup.

This worked for me as well. After doing the Move to IOS and phone restart multiple times, paying to icloud+ worked (even though my whatsapp backup wad 2.5 GB and I had 5 GB storage left before the iCloud upgrade.

I did something maybe useful for you. I waited more than one hour after finishing with move to IOS then I installed the WhatsApp then chats had been imported successfully. So you may need to wait some time before installing WhatsApp.

No solution from Apple, but there is an app that worked for me. It's a bit annoying because it is not free. I used the iCareFone Transfer app. Now I have my chats on the new iphone!

Restarting The device Worked like a Charm! I was Kinda worried Cause retrying was Not Working. But Thanks To The person Who Suggested to restart the device. Props!

Hello pirateking-R2h,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Looks like you're getting prompted an error message when transferring your WhatsApp data. If so, we'd like to point you in the right direction for help. We recommend that you review and follow some of the suggested steps listed in WhatsApp page here:

Can't migrate chat history from Android to iPhone

The steps listed within the link we shared, might be able to help you. If you require additional help with WhatsApp data, we recommend that you reach out to them for help. You can use the following link to get support from them: WhatsApp - Help Center

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Best of luck.

Hi,

the only thing that truly worked is just to restart your iPhone again, no worries about deleting your info if it's on iCloud, your whatsapp data will still be available on your android (if you haven't used another number or deleted the app on your android device). So if everything is on your android device, restart your iPhone and only transfer your whatsapp alone, only Whatsapp, and follow the steps again, it should work, cause it did for me after 3 days of trying anything.

Regards

I found a solution. It's a bit annoying because the solution is paid. I used the iCareFone Transfer app. Now I have my chats on the new iphone!